A Junonia in the hand...
Yep, that’s a beautiful, perfect JUNONIA at the Blind Pass sand bar on Captiva…… in the hands of someone other than me. LOL It sure is pretty, huh? Okay, before I tell you all about who found this JUNONIA (don’t you like suspense?), let me tell you what has happened on this new strip of beach.
Clark and I couldn’t make it to the beach during the day yesterday but couldn’t stand that we were missing the shells rolling in with the west winds blowing 20 mph. So we got out our big coats (in the 40’s), knit caps, gloves and head lamp flashlights and headed to the new beach at Blind Pass at 10 pm.
Night shelling on Captiva
You see that little light in the middle of all the darkness in the picture? That’s Clark’s head lamp. That’s how dark it was.
Lace Murex night shell
That’s a huge 2 1/2 inch LACE MUREX in the middle of all those shells. Wait, I’ll zoom in for the next picture.
Lace Murex close up
Night shelling alphabet cones and whelk
I know this is a terrible photo above (the wind was whipping, sand was flying, my scarf was slapping my face….. you think I cared?) but I was so excited to find that 3 inch ALPHABET CONE, 2 and a half inch ALPHABET CONE and 4 inch LIGHTNING WHELK all with about 3 minutes of each other. Clark found a gorgeous candy (juvenile HORSE CONCH), an 8 inch LIGHTNING WHELK along with lots of other goodies ( I didn’t even get a chance to see them until we were in the car!). I don’t have pictures of the yet so I’ll show you photos tomorrow……but….
From the top of Blind Pass Bridge
….. lets get back to the JUNONIA. I took this picture this morning from the Blind Pass bridge looking down at the new stretch of beach. All the way on the top right near the jetty is where this JUNONIA below was found.
Junonia with shells and water (staged)
This morning, I climbed over the jetty rocks to get to the shell covered sand bar to see somebody familiar jumping up and down. I ran over to find Anthony from South Seas’ Swimtastics holding out his first ever JUNONIA. You see, I had just met Anthony this weekend because he had a booth too at the Captiva Holiday Marketplace. He just moved here with his family four months ago and had never heard of shelling before he stepped into our iLoveShelling booth on Friday.
Anthony's Junonia
Yep, you guessed it….. a newbie sheller on his second day ever shelling in his life and he finds a JUNONIA. HaHaHa or should I say HoHoHo. He went out shelling yesterday for the first time to see what all the fuss was about and found 2 huge 10 inch (I think that’s how big he said) WHELKS and other treasures so just had to get back out there today. That’s when he hit the jackpot. His excitement was so contagious that I think at one point we were both jumping up and down. Did you ever think shelling could be this exciting? Lucky guy! He said he was going to go buy a lotto ticket on his way home.
The Point of Shelling
I’ll get my other photos together and continue this adventure with you tomorrow. Until then…. Shellebrate!
OMG – the shelling is INCREDIBLE!!! wish I were there…..I could carry my gorgeous new tote from iloveshelling!!! Can’t wait to see your other finds!!
Same exact area I found mine. That place is a Gold Mine. Congrats. Keep checking the area!
Pam that is so incredibly AWESOME!!!!! The sand bar is yielding much bounty…looks really interesting. Can’t wait to see it! We arrive about 10am on Christmas Day and if I have my way we’ll be on the beach before noon!!!! Can’t wait to see your other pictures. Looks like there’s some minus low tides coming your way next week! Full moon and first day of winter! Yipeee. Happy Hunting!
I talked to Anthony the day before (I think) — he was happily gathering fighting conchs for craft projects and comparing you to a rock star, saying people came from all over the country to meet you – true enough! We laughed about the 12 year old newbie who found a junonia last month — and now he’s the one!! Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy (sigh).
Wow, I would LOVE to be there right now! Unbelievable shelling! Lucky Anthony! Enjoy!
Very exciting report! The cones are great. That sandbar is so cool! I wonder how long it will survive… or will it grow larger? Would love to snorkel around that sandbar, though I might turn into a popsicle. (it would be worth it)
Congrats to Anthony :):) I love the new sandbar look, I hope it’s still there for our next trip. You and Clark must be so thrilled too :) you both found some really gorgeous shells:) It was super freezing this morning but worth it I see. Hopefully it warms up a little soon. I don’t even own a coat for this weather..lol..
This is the best story ever!!! I dont know how you went shelling at night I couldnt even stand outside long enough to take care of my rabbits! Ha ha ha Love you Pam!
Crap! I’m putting on my headlamp and jumping in the car — get the hot cocoa ready!
I would too if I didn’t have to work.
So envious! Wish I lived there…
Thanks Pam for keeping us posted on all this great stuff! I will be relying on you next week to tell me where to go for shelling, but it looks like Blind Pass is the place for now!
Wow! That is sooo exciting! Sounds like I better be sure to find out where “Blind Pass” is when we come out there next month! I’m wondering… is there a stretch of beach better than another in Sanibel? I have been online looking for the best place to stay and I’m so confused. Lot’s of mixed reviews on all the places to stay – including different streches of beach. Hoping some “pro’s” on here might be able to help me. Best place to stay? Best place to shell? In all my confusion – seeing your new post reminds me why I am soooo excited to visit Sanibel! Thanks!
Kelli, I don’t think there is a “bad” place to stay on Sanibel as long as you can walk out the door and onto the beach…we’ve stayed at Blind Pass Condos next to Bowmans Beach some years ago in May and the shelling was fantastic then. We’ve also stayed at Sand Pointe Condos in May and Tarpon Bay Condos just a week ago and found tons of beautiful shells and the “flowers/leaves” and “wings” I so love. The highlight of the week was meeting Pam & Clark at the Holiday event. Pam is so sweet and friendly and doing such a wonderful thing on this blog by sharing her knowledge, beautiful pictures and videos and telling us where the best shelling is. Follow this blog and then go have the time of your life. Guess you can tell how much Iloveshelling and Sanibel!
Kelli, Val is right – there isn’t a bad place to stay. We stayed at Ocean’s Reach this July and loved it (if you are looking for a condo type accomodation) and I’ve stayed at Gulf Beach and it is lovely too and close to the lighthouse. But remember on Sanibel and Captiva you are only a few minutes away from each area. And most of the places Pam speaks of (Blind Pass and Lighthouse Beach) are public beaches. Seaside Inn sounds lovely if you are looking for a hotel type accomodations as they offer free beach chairs,umbrellas and bikes. They also deliver a breakfast basket each day. I am dying tro go back and have to wait until next year..boo hoo. I stumbled upon this blog when I was researching the island and I love it so much! Thanks Pam.
Unbelievable!
Ack!! I’m green with envy….. again!! If I wish hard enough upon the Christmas star, will it take me back to the beach???????
Have been shelling for 26 years! Never found a junonia! But still love the thrill of it all, the relaxation, and the beauty! Heading there in Jan, can’t wait —– Save me some shells!
One thing… I’m wondering if he told you how he found it… was it just washed up on the shelly sand bar or was he wading in the water or did he use a shell sifter to dig in the surf’s edge. When I found my piece of Junonia, I was digging in a very shelly spot (where I found 2 perfect little alphabet cones) just out of the surf.
I was sure hoping that Junonia was going to be in your hand! Man, the luck of these newbies!!! You and Clark are hard core. I love it!!
I have to say that I may have to start hiding your status update since am I getting more and more envious each day seeing all these photos of shells I am on the east coast and can’t get over there often enough. I just might have to get in the car and get over there.
Come on over, Jackie! ….. but will you be sweet enough to leave that next junonia for me? :) heehee
Well, you can’t help smile at Anthony’s good fortune!
Don’t worry Pam…I feel that Junonia is getting closer!!
Wow WoW WoW wish I was there now but stuck up north BRRRRRRR Congrats to the “newbie” on the fantastic shell finds. I always think it’s kinda like karma if it’s meant to be yours you spot it recognize it and pick it up but this guy is just lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time too. Pam there’s one out there with your name on it it just hasn’t rolled in yet. Enjoy that new beach too.
Check your private Email. I sent you a gift. Wish I was there. The shelling looks terrific.
Where there’s one, there are bound to be more :-)
W.O.W. I would live there! Amazing! Thanks for stopping by my blog, I also am a collector of shells from the magnificent sea! I’ll follow ya! xox!
Hello I know this comment is late, but I’m wondering where to park to get to blind pass at night as the parking closes at 7pm???
Hmmm. I wasn’t aware that the parking lot had a closing time… I’ve never seen it closed before.